Coriolanus. A modern take on a Shakespearean play.
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:59 am
In effect, Coriolanus is basically the entire play word for word, placed in a modern setting but assuming the same socio-political settings as ancient rome, which is the setting of the original play. It's a very interesting juxtaposition if anything, and quite enjoyable.
SPOILER ALERT!
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The most obvious movie to contrast it against, would be 1999's Titus Andronicus starring Anthony Hopkins. While not as brutal as Titus Andronicus, I felt Coriolanus was far bleaker in a sense. While everybody dies at the end in Titus Andronicus, at least those who'd wronged Titus got their just deserts. In Coriolanus, the main character dies at the end without those who've had a hand in his demise ever suffering or even being made aware of just how and why they were wrong. Instead, Coriolanus' mercy becomes his own undoing. Of course, that is not down to the scriptwriters but the bard himself, so it is less a critique of the movie itself and more about the original play. In any case, it is still a worthwhile film to watch, if nothing else, then for Ralph Fiennes' masterful performance as Coriolanus.
SPOILER ALERT!
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The most obvious movie to contrast it against, would be 1999's Titus Andronicus starring Anthony Hopkins. While not as brutal as Titus Andronicus, I felt Coriolanus was far bleaker in a sense. While everybody dies at the end in Titus Andronicus, at least those who'd wronged Titus got their just deserts. In Coriolanus, the main character dies at the end without those who've had a hand in his demise ever suffering or even being made aware of just how and why they were wrong. Instead, Coriolanus' mercy becomes his own undoing. Of course, that is not down to the scriptwriters but the bard himself, so it is less a critique of the movie itself and more about the original play. In any case, it is still a worthwhile film to watch, if nothing else, then for Ralph Fiennes' masterful performance as Coriolanus.